Fungicide hydroximoyl-tetrazole derivatives

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to hydroximoyl-tetrazole derivatives of formula (I), their process of preparation, preparation intermediate compounds, their use as fungicide active agents, particularly in the form of fungicide compositions and methods for the control of phytopathogenic fungi, notably of plants, using these compounds or compositions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is a 35 U.S.C. §371 national phase conversion of PCT/EP2009/053207 filed Mar. 18, 2009, which claims priority of European Application No. 08356046.6 filed Mar. 19, 2008.

The present invention relates to hydroximoyl-tetrazole derivatives, their process of preparation, preparation intermediate compounds, their use as fungicide active agents, particularly in the form of fungicide compositions and methods for the control of phytopathogenic fungi, notably of plants, using these compounds or compositions.

In European patent application no 1426371, there are disclosed certain tetrazolyloxime derivatives of the following chemical structure:

wherein A represents a tetrazolyl group, Het represents either a particular pyridinyl group or a particular thiazolyl group.

In Japanese patent application no 2004-131392, there are disclosed certain tetrazolyloxime derivatives of the following chemical structure:

wherein W can be selected in a list of 15 various heterocycle groups.

The compounds disclosed in these two documents do not prove to provide a comparable utility than the compounds according to the invention.

It is always of high-interest in agriculture to use novel pesticide compounds in order to avoid or to control the development of resistant strains to the active ingredients. It is also of high-interest to use novel compounds being more active than those already known, with the aim of decreasing the amounts of active compound to be used, whilst at the same time maintaining effectiveness at least equivalent to the already known compounds. We have now found a new family of compounds which possess the above mentioned effects or advantages.

Accordingly, the present invention provides hydroximoyl-tetrazole derivatives of formula (I):

wherein

-   -   A represents a tetrazoyl group of formula (A¹) or (A²):

-   -    wherein Y represents an alkyl group;     -   L¹ represents a direct bond or a divalent group selected in the         list consisting of —(CR¹R²)_(n)— —(CR¹R²)_(m)—C(═O)—(CR¹R²)_(p)—         —(CR¹R²)_(m)—(CR¹═CR²)—(CR¹R²)_(p)—         —(CR¹R²)_(m)—C(═O)—O—(CR¹R²)_(p)—(CR¹R²)_(m)—C≡C—(CR¹R²)_(p)—         —(CR¹R²)_(m)—O—C(═O)—(CR¹R²)_(p)— —(CR¹R²)_(m)—O—(CR¹R²)_(p)—         —(CR¹R²)_(m)—C(═O)—NH—(CR¹R²)_(p)— —(CR¹R²)_(m)—NH—(CR¹R²)_(p)—         —(CR¹R²)_(m)—NH—C(═O)—(CR¹R²)_(p)—     -    wherein         -   R¹ and R² are independently selected in the list consisting             of hydrogen, halogen, [C₁-C₄]-alkyl, [C₁-C₄]-haloalkyl,             [C₂-C₄]-alkenyl, [C₂-C₄]-haloalkenyl, [C₂-C₄]-alkynyl,             [C₂-C₄]-haloalkynyl, [C₃-C₅]-cycloalkyl,             [C₃-C₅]-halocycloalkyl, [C₁-C₄]-alkoxy,             [C₁-C₄]-alkoxy-[C₁-C₄]-alkyl, [C₁-C₄]-alkoxy-[C₁-C₄]-alkoxy,             [C₁-C₄]-haloalkoxy, [C₁-C₄]-haloalkoxy-[C₁-C₄]-alkyl,             carbonyloxy, [C₁-C₆]-alkoxy-carbonyl and cyano, R¹ and R²             can form a 3- to 7-membered, saturated or unsaturated,             carbo- or heterocycle; provided that if R¹ and R² both             represent a hydrogen atom, n represents 2, 3 or 4;         -   n represents 1, 2, 3 or 4;         -   m and p independently represent 0, 1, 2 or 3;     -   Het represents a pyridyl group of formula (Het¹) or a thiazolyl         group of formula (Het²);

-   -    wherein         -   R represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom;         -   Z represents a hydrogen atom, an amino group, a halogen             atom, a hydroxy group, substituted or non-substituted             C₁-C₈-alkyl, substituted or non-substituted             C₁-C₈-cycloalkyl, a substituted or non-substituted             C₂-C₈-alkenyl, substituted or non-substituted C₂-C₈-alkynyl,             substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-alkoxy, substituted or             non-substituted C₁-C₈-alkylamino, substituted or             non-substituted C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkylamino, substituted or             non-substituted C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkenylamino, substituted or             non-substituted C₅-C₁₂-fused bicycloalkylamino, substituted             or non-substituted C₅-C₁₂-fused bicycloalkenylamino,             substituted or non-substituted di-C₁-C₈-alkylamino,             substituted or non-substituted phenylamino, substituted or             non-substituted heterocyclylamino, a group of formula             QC(═U)NR^(a)— wherein Q represents a hydrogen atom,             substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-alkyl, substituted or             non-substituted C₁-C₈-cycloalkyl, a substituted or             non-substituted C₂-C₈-alkenyl, substituted or             non-substituted C₂-C₈-alkynyl, substituted or             non-substituted C₁-C₈-alkoxy, substituted or non-substituted             C₁-C₈-alkylamino, substituted or non-substituted             C₁-C₈-alkylsulphenyl, substituted or non-substituted             arylsulphenyl, substituted or non-substituted aryl,             substituted or non-substituted heterocyclyl; wherein U             represents a oxygen atom or a sulphur atom and R^(a)             represents a hydrogen atom, substituted or non-substituted             C₁-C₈-alkyl, substituted or non-substituted             C₁-C₈-cycloalkyl, a substituted or non-substituted             C₂-C₈-alkenyl, substituted or non-substituted C₂-C₈-alkynyl,             substituted or non-substituted aryl, substituted or             non-substituted heterocyclyl;     -   X independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an         alkyl group, an alkoxy group, a cyano group, a methanesulfonyl         group, a nitro group, a trifluoromethyl group or an aryl group;     -   q represents 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, provided that if q represents 2,         3, 4 or 5, then X represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom;         as well as salts, N-oxides, metallic complexes and metalloidic         complexes thereof.     -   In another embodiment, z in the above structural formula is         selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an amino         group, and a group of formula QC(═O)NH—     -    wherein         -   Q is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom,             an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkyl group             having 1 to 6 carbon atoms substituted by a halogen atom, a             cycloalkyl group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group             having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a cycloalkoxy group having 3 to             6 carbon atoms, a benzyloxy group, a 2-phenylethyloxy group,             a thioalkyl group substituted by an alkyl group having 1 to             4 carbon atoms, an alkyl group having 1 to 2 carbon atoms             substituted by an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms,             an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms substituted by an             acylamino group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy having             1 to 6 carbon atoms substituted by an acylamino group having             1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkylamino group having 1 to 8             carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms,an             aralkyl group, and a phenyl group.

Any of the compounds according to the invention can exist as one or more stereoisomers depending on the number of stereogenic units (as defined by the IUPAC rules) in the compound. The invention thus relates equally to all the stereoisomers and to the mixtures of all the possible stereoisomers, in all proportions. The stereoisomers can be separated according to the methods which are known per se by the man ordinary skilled in the art.

Notably, the stereostructure of the oxime moiety present in the tetrazolyloxime derivative of formula (I) includes (E) or (Z) isomers and these stereoisomers form part of the present invention.

According to the invention, the following generic terms are generally used with the following meanings:

-   -   halogen means fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine;     -   heteroatom can be nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur;     -   unless indicated otherwise, a group or a substituent that is         substituted according to the invention can be substituted by one         or more of the following groups or atoms: a halogen atom, a         nitro group, a hydroxy group, a cyano group, an amino group, a         sulphenyl group, a pentafluoro-λ⁶-sulphenyl group, a formyl         group, a substituted or non-substituted carbaldehyde         O—(C₁-C₈-alkyl)oxime, a formyloxy group, a formylamino group, a         carbamoyl group, a N-hydroxycarbamoyl group, a formylamino         group, a (hydroxyimino)-C₁-C₆-alkyl group, a C₁-C₈-alkyl, a         tri(C₁-C₈-alkyl)silyl, a tri(C₁-C₈-alkyl)silyl-C₁-C₈-alkyl,         C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, tri(C₁-C₈-alkyl)silyl-C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, a         C₁-C₈-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a         C₃-C₈-halogenocycloalkyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a         C₂-C₈-alkenyl, a C₃-C₈-cycloalkenyl a C₂-C₈-alkynyl, a         C₂-C₈-alkenyloxy, a C₂-C₈-alkynyloxy, a C₁-C₈-alkylamino, a         di-C₁-C₈-alkylamino, a C₁-C₈-alkoxy, a C₁-C₈-halogenoalkoxy         having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C₁-C₈-alkylsulphenyl, a         C₁-C₈-halogenoalkylsulphenyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a         C₂-C₈-alkenyloxy, a C₂-C₈-halogenoalkenyloxy having 1 to 5         halogen atoms, a C₃-C₈-alkynyloxy, a C₃-C₈-halogenoalkynyloxy         having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C₁-C₈-alkylcarbonyl, a         C₁-C₈-halogenoalkylcarbonyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a         C₁-C₈-alkylcarbamoyl, a di-C₁-C₈-alkylcarbamoyl, a         N—C₁-C₈-alkyloxycarbamoyl, a C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbamoyl, a         N—C₁-C₈-alkyl-C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbamoyl, a C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbonyl, a         C₁-C₈-halogenoalkoxycarbonyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a         C₁-C₈-alkylcarbonyloxy, a C₁-C₈-halogenoalkylcarbonyloxy having         1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C₁-C₈-alkylcarbonylamino, a         C₁-C₈-halogenoalkylcarbonylamino having 1 to 5 halogen atoms,         substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbonylamino,         substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-halogenoalkoxycarbonylamino         having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C₁-C₈-alkylaminocarbonyloxy, a         di-C₁-C₈-alkylaminocarbonyloxy, a C₁-C₈-alkyloxycarbonyloxy, a         C₁-C₈-alkylsulphenyl, a C₁-C₈-halogenoalkylsulphenyl having 1 to         5 halogen atoms, a C₁-C₈-alkylsulphinyl, a         C₁-C₈-halogenoalkylsulphinyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a         C₁-C₈-alkylsulphonyl, a C₁-C₈-halogenoalkylsulphonyl having 1 to         5 halogen atoms, a C₁-C₈-alkylaminosulfamoyl, a         di-C₁-C₈-alkylaminosulfamoyl, a (C₁-C₆-alkoxyimino)-C₁-C₆-alkyl,         a (C₁-C₆-alkenyloxyimino)-C₁-C₆-alkyl, a         (C₁-C₆-alkynyloxyimino)-C₁-C₆-alkyl,         (benzyloxyimino)-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₈-alkoxyalkyl,         C₁-C₈-halogenoalkoxyalkyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, aryl,         heterocyclyl, benzyloxy, benzylsulphenyl, benzylamino, phenoxy,         phenylsulphenyl or phenylamino;     -   the term “aryl” means phenyl or naphthyl;     -   The term “heterocyclyl” means saturated or unsaturated 4-, 5-,         6- or 7-membered ring comprising up to 4 heteroatoms selected in         the list consisting of N, O, S.

In the tetrazoyl group of formula (A¹) or (A²), Y represents an alkyl group. Among these alkyl groups, an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, a n-propyl group or an isopropyl group is preferred. Among these alkyl groups, a methyl group or an ethyl group is particularly preferred.

Preferred compounds of formula (I) according to the invention are those wherein L¹ represents a direct bond or a divalent group selected in the list consisting of

—(CR¹R²)_(n)— —C(═O)—(CR¹R²)_(p)— —(CR¹R²)_(m)—O— —(CR¹R²)_(m)—C(═O)—O— —(CR¹R²)_(m)—NH— —(CR¹R²)_(m)—C(═O)—NH— —(CR¹R²)_(m)—C(═O)— —(CR¹R²)_(m)—NH—C(═O) wherein

-   -   R¹ and R² independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen         atom, a cyano group, substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-alkyl,         substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-cycloalkyl, substituted or         non-substituted C₁-C₈-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms,         substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-halogenocycloalkyl having 1         to 5 halogen atoms, a C₂-C₈-alkenyl, substituted or         non-substituted C₂-C₈-alkynyl, substituted or non-substituted         C₁-C₈-alkoxy, substituted or non-substituted         C₁-C₈-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, substituted or         non-substituted C₂-C₈-alkenyloxy, substituted or non-substituted         C₂-C₈-halogenoalkenyloxy having 1 to 5 halogen atoms,         substituted or non-substituted C₃-C₈-alkynyloxy, substituted or         non-substituted C₃-C₈-halogenoalkynyloxy having 1 to 5 halogen         atoms;     -   n represents 1 or 2;     -   m and p independently represent 0 or 1.

More preferred compounds of formula (I) according to the invention are those wherein L¹ represents a direct bond or a divalent group selected in the list consisting of —(CR¹R²)—, —C(═O)—(CR¹R²)— and —C(═O)—; wherein R¹ and R² are independently selected in the list consisting of hydrogen, halogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, trifluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, allyl, ethynyl, propargyl, cyclopropyl, methoxy, trifluoromethoxy and cyano.

Preferred compounds of formula (I) according to the invention are those wherein X represents a hydrogen atom; a chlorine atom; a fluorine atom; an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, for example a methyl group, an ethyl group, a n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, a n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, a sec-butyl group and a tert-butyl group, in particular a methyl group or a tert-butyl group; an alkoxy group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, for example a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, a propoxy group and an isopropoxy group, in particular, a methoxy group or an ethoxy group; or a phenyl group, a 4-methylphenyl group and a 4-chlorophenyl group, in particular a phenyl.

Preferred compounds of formula (I) according to the invention are those wherein q represents 1 or 2. More preferably, q represents 1.

R in the pyridyl group of formula (Het¹) represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom such as a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom or a fluorine atom. Among these, a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom or a chlorine atom is particularly preferred.

Preferred compounds of formula (I) according to the invention are those wherein Z represents a substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-alkyl, substituted or non-substituted C₂-C₈-alkenyl, substituted or non-substituted C₂-C₈-alkynyl, substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-alkylamino or a group of formula QC(═U)NR^(a).

More preferred compounds of formula (I) according to the invention are those wherein Z represents substituted or non-substituted C₂-C₈-alkynyl, non-substituted C₁-C₈-alkylamino or a group of formula QC(═U)NR^(a).

Even more preferred compounds of formula (I) according to the invention are those wherein Z represents substituted or non-substituted C₂-C₈-alkynyl or a group of formula QC(═U)NR^(a).

Preferred compounds of formula (I) according to the invention are those wherein Q represents a hydrogen atom, substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-alkyl, substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-cycloalkyl, a substituted or non-substituted C₂-C₈-alkenyl, substituted or non-substituted C₂-C₈-alkynyl, substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-alkoxy, substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-alkylsulphenyl or substituted or non-substituted aryl.

More preferred compounds of formula (I) according to the invention are those wherein Q represents substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-alkyl, substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-alkoxy or substituted or non-substituted aryl.

Preferred compounds of formula (I) according to the invention are those wherein U represents a oxygen atom

Preferred compounds of formula (I) according to the invention are those wherein R^(a) represents a hydrogen atom or substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-alkyl.

More preferred compounds of formula (I) according to the invention are those wherein R^(a) represents a hydrogen atom.

The above mentioned preferences with regard to the substituents of the compounds of formula (I) according to the invention can be combined in various manners. These combinations of preferred features thus provide sub-classes of compounds according to the invention. Examples of such sub-classes of preferred compounds according to the invention can combine:

-   -   preferred features of A with preferred features of one or more         of L¹, Het, X and q;     -   preferred features of L¹ with preferred features of one or more         of A, Het, X and q;     -   preferred features of Het with preferred features of one or more         of A, L¹, X and q;     -   preferred features of X with preferred features of one or more         of A, L¹, Het and q;     -   preferred features of q with preferred features of one or more         of A, L¹, Het and X.

In these combinations of preferred features of the substituents of the compounds according to the invention, the said preferred features can also be selected among the more preferred features of each of A, L¹, Het, X and q; so as to form most preferred subclasses of compounds according to the invention.

The preferred features of the other substituents of the compounds according to the invention can also be part of such sub-classes of preferred compounds according to the invention, notably the groups of substituents Y, R¹, R², n, m, p, Z, R and Q.

The present invention also relates to a process for the preparation of compounds of formula (I), Thus, according to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process P1 for the preparation of compounds of formula (I), as herein-defined, as illustrated by the following reaction schemes.

wherein

-   -   A, L¹, Het, X, q, Z and Q are as herein-defined;     -   LG represents a leaving group. Suitable leaving groups can be         selected in the list consisting of a halogen atom or other         customary nucleofugal groups such as triflate, mesylate or         tosylate.

According to the invention, there is provided a further process P2 for the preparation of compounds of formula (Ib) from compounds of formula (Ia).

For the compounds of formula (Ia) according to the invention if Z represents an amino group, substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-alkylamino, substituted or non-substituted C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkylamino, substituted or non-substituted C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkenylamino, substituted or non-substituted C₅-C₁₂-fused bicycloalkylamino, substituted or non-substituted C₅-C₁₂-fused bicycloalkenylamino, substituted or non-substituted phenylamino, substituted or non-substituted heterocyclylamino, process P1 according to the invention can be completed by a further step comprising the additional modification of this group, notably by a reaction of acylation, alkoxycarbonylation or alkylaminocarbonylation to yield to a compound of formula (Ib), according to known methods. In such a case there is provided a process P2 according to the invention and such a process P2 can be illustrated by the following reaction schemes:

wherein A, L¹, Het, X, q, Z, U, R^(a) and Q are as herein-defined and LG′ represents a leaving group.

Suitable leaving groups can be selected in the list consisting of a halogen atom or other customary nucleofugal groups such as alcoolate, hydroxide or cyanide.

If Z represents a protected amino group, protected substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-alkylamino, protected substituted or non-substituted C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkylamino, protected substituted or non-substituted C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkenylamino, protected substituted or non-substituted C₅-C₁₂-fused bicycloalkylamino, protected substituted or non-substituted C₅-C₁₂-fused bicycloalkenylamino, protected substituted or non-substituted phenylamino, protected substituted or non-substituted heterocyclylamino, carrying out process P2 would previously require a deprotection step in order to yield the amino group. Amino-protecting groups and related methods of cleavage thereof are known and can be found in T. W. Greene and P. G. M. Wuts, Protective Group in organic Chemistry, 3^(rd) ed., John Wiley & Sons.

According to the invention, there is provided a further process P3 for the preparation of compounds of formula (Ic) from compounds of formula (Id), by a reaction of nucleophilic substitution to yield to a compound of formula (Id), according to known methods, optionally in the presence of a catalyst notably a transition metal catalyst, such as palladium salts or complexes for example palladium (II) chloride, palladium (II) acetate, tetrakis-(triphenylphosphine) palladium(0), bis-(triphenylphosphine) palladium dichloride (II), tris(dibenzylideneacetone) dipalladium(0), bis(dibenzylideneacetone) palladium(0) or 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-palladium (II) chloride. As an alternative the palladium complex is directly generated in the reaction mixture by separately adding to the reaction mixture a palladium salt and a complex ligand such as a phosphine, for example triethylphosphine, tri-tert-butylphosphine, tricyclohexylphosphine, 2-(dicyclohexylphosphine)biphenyl, 2-(di-tert-butylphosphin)biphenyl, 2-(dicyclohexylphosphine)-2′-(N,N-dimethylamino)-biphenyl, triphenylphosphine, tris-(o-tolyl)phosphine, sodium 3-(diphenylphosphino)benzolsulfonate, tris-2-(methoxyphenyl)phosphine, 2,2′-bis-(diphenylphosphine)-1,1′-binaphthyl, 1,4-bis-(diphenylphosphine)butane, 1,2-bis-(diphenylphosphine)ethane, 1,4-bis-(dicyclohexylphosphine)butane, 1,2-bis-(dicyclohexylphosphine)ethane, 2-(dicyclohexylphosphine)-2′-(N,N-dimethylamino)-biphenyl, bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene, tris-(2,4-tert-butylphenyl)-phosphite, (R)-(−)-1-[(S)-2-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenyl]ethyldi-tert-butylphosphine, (S)-(+)-1-[(R)-2-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenyl]ethyldicyclohexylphosphine, (R)-(−)-1-[(S)-2-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenyl]ethyldicyclohexylphosphine, (S)-(+)-1-[(R)-2-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenyl]ethyldi-t-butylphosphine, optionally in the presence of a base such as an inorganic or an organic base; preferably an alkaline earth metal or alkali metal hydride, hydroxide, amide, alcoholate, acetate, carbonate or hydrogen carbonate, such as sodium hydride, sodium amide, lithium diisopropylamide, sodium methanolate, sodium ethanolate, potassium tert-butanolate, sodium acetate, potassium acetate, calcium acetate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, cesium carbonate or ammonium carbonate; and also tertiary amine, such as trimethylamine, triethylamine (TEA), tributylamine, N,N-dimethylaniline, N,N-dimethyl-benzylamine, N,N-diisopropyl-ethylamine (DIPEA), pyridine, N-methylpiperidine, N-methylmorpholine, N,N-dimethylaminopyridine, diazabicyclooctane (DABCO), diazabicyclononene (DBN) or diazabicycloundecene (DBU), according to known methods. In such a case there is provided a process P3 according to the invention and such a process P3 can be illustrated by the following reaction scheme:

wherein

-   -   A, Het, L¹, X, and q are as herein-defined;     -   Zd represents a halogen atom;     -   Zc represents a represents an amino group, a hydroxy group,         substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-alkyl, substituted or         non-substituted C₁-C₈-cycloalkyl, a substituted or         non-substituted C₂-C₈-alkenyl, substituted or non-substituted         C₂-C₈-alkynyl, substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-alkoxy,         substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-alkylamino, substituted or         non-substituted C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkylamino, substituted or         non-substituted C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkenylamino, substituted or         non-substituted C₅-C₁₂-fused bicycloalkylamino, substituted or         non-substituted C₅-C₁₂-fused bicycloalkenylamino, substituted or         non-substituted di-C₁-C₈-alkylamino, substituted or         non-substituted phenylamino, substituted or non-substituted         heterocyclylamino, a group of formula QC(═U)NR^(a), wherein Q         and Ra are herein-defined and U represents an oxygen atom.

According to the invention, processes P1 to P3 can be performed if appropriate in the presence of a solvent and if appropriate in the presence of a base.

According to the invention, processes P1 and P2 can be performed if appropriate in the presence of a catalyst. Suitable catalyst can be chosen as being 4-dimethyl-aminopyridine, 1-hydroxy-benzotriazole or dimethylformamide.

In case LG′ represents a hydroxy group, the process P2 according to the present invention can be performed in the presence of condensing agent. Suitable condensing agent can be chosen as being acid halide former, such as phosgene, phosphorous tri-bro-mide, phosphorous trichloride, phosphorous pentachloride, phosphorous trichloride oxide or thionyl chloride; anhydride former, such as ethyl chloroformate, methyl chloroformate, isopropyl chloroformate, isobutyl chloroformate or methanesulfonyl chloride; carbodiimides, such as N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) or other customary condensing agents, such as phosphorous pentoxide, polyphosphoric acid, N,N′-carbonyl-diimidazole, 2-ethoxy-N-ethoxycarbonyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ), triphenylphosphine/tetrachloromethane, dimethoxy[1.3.5]triazin-2-yl)-4-methylmorpholinium chloride hydrate or bromo-tripyrrolidino-phosphonium-hexafluorophosphate.

Suitable solvents for carrying out processes P1 to P3 according to the invention are customary inert organic solvents. Preference is given to using optionally halogenated aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic hydrocarbons, such as petroleum ether, hexane, heptane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, benzene, toluene, xylene or decalin; chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, dichlorethane or trichlorethane; ethers, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, methyl tert-amyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, 1,2-diethoxyethane or anisole; nitriles, such as acetonitrile, propionitrile, n- or iso-butyronitrile or benzonitrile; amides, such as N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methylformanilide, N-methylpyrrolidone or hexamethylphosphoric triamide; esters, such as methyl acetate or ethyl acetate, sulphoxides, such as dimethyl sulphoxide or sulphones, such as sulpholane.

Suitable bases for carrying out processes P1 and P2 according to the invention are inorganic and organic bases which are customary for such reactions. Preference is given to using alkaline earth metal, alkali metal hydride, alkali metal hydroxides or alkali metal alkoxides, such as sodium hydroxide, sodium hydride, calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, potassium tert-butoxide or other ammonium hydroxide, alkali metal carbonates, such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, cesium carbonate, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal acetates, such as sodium acetate, potassium acetate, calcium acetate and also tertiary amines, such as trimethylamine, triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, tributylamine, N,N-dimethylaniline, pyridine, N-methylpiperidine, N,N-dimethylaminopyridine, 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene (DBN) or 1,8-diaza-bicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU).

If carrying out processes P1 to P3, according to the invention, the reaction temperature can independently be varied within a relatively wide range. Generally, process P1 according to the invention is carried out at temperatures between −20° C. and 160° C.

Processes P1 to P3 according to the invention are generally independently carried out under atmospheric pressure. However, it is also possible to operate under elevated or reduced pressure.

Work-up is carried out by customary methods. Generally, the reaction mixture is treated with water and the organic phase is separated off and, after drying, concentrated under reduced pressure. If appropriate, the remaining residue can be freed by customary methods, such as chromatography or recrystallization, from any impurities that can still be present.

Compounds according to the invention can be prepared according to the above described processes. It will nevertheless be understood that, on the basis of his general knowledge and of available publications, the skilled worker will be able to adapt these processes according to the specifics of each of the compounds according to the invention that is desired to be synthesised.

If A represents a group of formula (A¹), as described previously, the compounds of formula (II), useful as a starting material, can be prepared, for example, by reacting hydroxylamine with the corresponding ketones that can be prepared, for example, according to the method described by R. Raap (Can. J. Chem. 1971, 49, 2139) by addition of a tetrazolyl lithium species to esters of the following formula

or any of their suitable synthetic equivalents like, for example formula:

If A represents a group of formula (A²), as herein-described, the compounds of formula (II) useful as a starting material, can be prepared, for example from oximes of the following formula

and 5-substituted tetrazole according to the method described by J. Plenkiewicz et al. (Bull. Soc. Chim. Belg. 1987, 96, 675).

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to compounds of formula (III) useful as intermediate compounds or materials for the process of preparation according to the invention. The present invention thus provides compounds of formula (III) wherein LG, Het are as herein-defined and L¹ represents —(CR¹R²)_(n)—, R¹, R² and n being as herein-defined.

Still in a further aspect, the present invention also relates to a fungicide composition comprising an effective and non-phytotoxic amount of an active compound of formula (I).

The expression “effective and non-phytotoxic amount” means an amount of composition according to the invention which is sufficient to control or destroy the fungi present or liable to appear on the crops and which does not entail any appreciable symptom of phytotoxicity for the said crops. Such an amount can vary within a wide range depending on the fungus to be controlled, the type of crop, the climatic conditions and the compounds included in the fungicide composition according to the invention. This amount can be determined by systematic field trials, which are within the capabilities of a person skilled in the art.

Thus, according to the invention, there is provided a fungicide composition comprising, as an active ingredient, an effective amount of a compound of formula (I) as herein defined and an agriculturally acceptable support, carrier or filler.

According to the invention, the term “support” denotes a natural or synthetic organic or inorganic compound with which the active compound of formula (I) is combined or associated to make it easier to apply, notably to the parts of the plant. This support is thus generally inert and should be agriculturally acceptable. The support can be a solid or a liquid. Examples of suitable supports include clays, natural or synthetic silicates, silica, resins, waxes, solid fertilisers, water, alcohols, in particular butanol organic solvents, mineral and plant oils and derivatives thereof. Mixtures of such supports can also be used.

The composition according to the invention can also comprise additional components. In particular, the composition can further comprise a surfactant. The surfactant can be an emulsifier, a dispersing agent or a wetting agent of ionic or non-ionic type or a mixture of such surfactants. Mention can be made, for example, of polyacrylic acid salts, lignosulphonic acid salts, phenolsulphonic or naphthalenesulphonic acid salts, polycondensates of ethylene oxide with fatty alcohols or with fatty acids or with fatty amines, substituted phenols (in particular alkylphenols or arylphenols), salts of sulphosuccinic acid esters, taurine derivatives (in particular alkyl taurates), phosphoric esters of polyoxyethylated alcohols or phenols, fatty acid esters of polyols and derivatives of the above compounds containing sulphate, sulphonate and phosphate functions. The presence of at least one surfactant is generally essential if the active compound and/or the inert support are water-insoluble and if the vector agent for the application is water. Preferably, surfactant content can be comprised from 5% to 40% by weight of the composition.

Optionally, additional components can also be included, e.g. protective colloids, adhesives, thickeners, thixotropic agents, penetration agents, stabilisers, sequestering agents. More generally, the active compounds can be combined with any solid or liquid additive, which complies with the usual formulation techniques.

In general, the composition according to the invention can contain from 0.05 to 99% by weight of active compound, preferably 10 to 70% by weight.

Compositions according to the invention can be used in various forms such as aerosol dispenser, capsule suspension, cold fogging concentrate, dustable powder, emulsifiable concentrate, emulsion oil in water, emulsion water in oil, encapsulated granule, fine granule, flowable concentrate for seed treatment, gas (under pressure), gas generating product, granule, hot fogging concentrate, macrogranule, microgranule, oil dispersible powder, oil miscible flowable concentrate, oil miscible liquid, paste, plant rodlet, powder for dry seed treatment, seed coated with a pesticide, soluble concentrate, soluble powder, solution for seed treatment, suspension concentrate (flowable concentrate), ultra low volume (ULV) liquid, ultra low volume (ULV) suspension, water dispersible granules or tablets, water dispersible powder for slurry treatment, water soluble granules or tablets, water soluble powder for seed treatment and wettable powder. These compositions include not only compositions which are ready to be applied to the plant or seed to be treated by means of a suitable device, such as a spraying or dusting device, but also concentrated commercial compositions which must be diluted before application to the crop.

The compounds according to the invention can also be mixed with one or more insecticide, fungicide, bactericide, attractant, acaricide or pheromone active substance or other compounds with biological activity. The mixtures thus obtained have a broadened spectrum of activity. The mixtures with other fungicide compounds are particularly advantageous. The composition according to the invention comprising a mixture of a compound of formula (I) with a bactericide compound can also be particularly advantageous

According to another object of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling the phytopathogenic fungi of plants, crops or seeds, characterized in that an agronomically effective and substantially non-phytotoxic quantity of a pesticide composition according to the invention is applied as seed treatment, foliar application, stem application, drench or drip application (chemigation) to the seed, the plant or to the fruit of the plant or to soil or to inert substrate (e.g. inorganic substrates like sand, rockwool, glasswool; expanded minerals like perlite, vermiculite, zeolite or expanded clay), Pumice, Pyroclastic materials/tuff, synthetic organic substrates (e.g. polyurethane) organic substrates (e.g. peat, composts, tree waste products like coir, wood fibre or chips, tree bark) or to a liquid substrate (e.g. floating hydroponic systems, Nutrient Film Technique, Aeroponics) wherein the plant is growing or wherein it is desired to grow.

The expression “are applied to the plants to be treated” is understood to mean, for the purposes of the present invention, that the pesticide composition which is the subject of the invention can be applied by means of various methods of treatment such as:

-   -   spraying onto the aerial parts of the said plants a liquid         comprising one of the said compositions,     -   dusting, the incorporation into the soil of granules or powders,         spraying, around the said plants and in the case of trees         injection or daubing,     -   coating or film-coating the seeds of the said plants with the         aid of a plant-protection mixture comprising one of the said         compositions.

The method according to the invention can either be a curing, preventing or eradicating method. In this method, a composition used can be prepared beforehand by mixing the two or more active compounds according to the invention.

According to an alternative of such a method, it is also possible to apply simultaneously, successively or separately compounds (A) and (B) so as to have the conjugated (A)/(B) effects, of distinct compositions each containing one of the two or three active ingredients (A) or (B).

The dose of active compound usually applied in the method of treatment according to the invention is generally and advantageously

-   -   for foliar treatments: from 0.1 to 10,000 g/ha, preferably from         10 to 1,000 g/ha, more preferably from 50 to 300 g/ha; in case         of drench or drip application, the dose can even be reduced,         especially while using inert substrates like rockwool or         perlite;     -   for seed treatment: from 2 to 200 g per 100 kilogram of seed,         preferably from 3 to 150 g per 100 kilogram of seed;     -   for soil treatment: from 0.1 to 10,000 g/ha, preferably from 1         to 5,000 g/ha.

The doses herein indicated are given as illustrative Examples of method according to the invention. A person skilled in the art will know how to adapt the application doses, notably according to the nature of the plant or crop to be treated.

Under specific conditions, for example according to the nature of the phytopathogenic fungus to be treated or controlled, a lower dose can offer adequate protection. Certain climatic conditions, resistance or other factors like the nature of the phytopathogenic fungi or the degree of infestation, for example, of the plants with these fungi, can require higher doses of combined active ingredients. The optimum dose usually depends on several factors, for example on the type of phytopathogenic fungus to be treated, on the type or level of development of the infested plant, on the density of vegetation or alternatively on the method of application.

Without it being limiting, the crop treated with the pesticide composition or combination according to the invention is, for example, grapevine, but this could be cereals, vegetables, lucerne, soybean, market garden crops, turf, wood, tree or horticultural plants.

The method of treatment according to the invention can also be useful to treat propagation material such as tubers or rhizomes, but also seeds, seedlings or seedlings pricking out and plants or plants pricking out. This method of treatment can also be useful to treat roots. The method of treatment according to the invention can also be useful to treat the over-ground parts of the plant such as trunks, stems or stalks, leaves, flowers and fruit of the concerned plant. Among the plants that can be protected by the method according to the invention, mention can be made of cotton; flax; vine; fruit or vegetable crops such as Rosaceae sp. (for instance pip fruit such as apples and pears, but also stone fruit such as apricots, almonds and peaches), Ribesioidae sp., Juglandaceae sp., Betulaceae sp., Anacardiaceae sp., Fagaceae sp., Moraceae sp., Oleaceae sp., Actinidaceae sp., Lauraceae sp., Musaceae sp. (for instance banana trees and plantins), Rubiaceae sp., Theaceae sp., Sterculiceae sp., Rutaceae sp. (for instance lemons oranges and grapefruit); Solanaceae sp. (for instance tomatoes), Liliaceae sp., Asteraceae sp. (for instance lettuces), Umbelliferae sp., Cruciferae sp., Chenopodiaceae sp., Cucurbitaceae sp., Papilionaceae sp. (for instance peas), Rosaceae sp. (for instance strawberries); major crops such as Graminae sp. (for instance maize, lawn or cereals such as wheat, rice, barley and triticale), Asteraceae sp. (for instance sunflower), Cruciferae sp. (for instance colza), Fabacae sp. (for instance peanuts), Papilionaceae sp. (for instance soybean), Solanaceae sp. (for instance potatoes), Chenopodiaceae sp. (for instance beetroots); horticultural and forest crops; as well as genetically modified homologues of these crops.

The method of treatment according to the invention can be used in the treatment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), e.g. plants or seeds. Genetically modified plants (or transgenic plants) are plants in which a heterologous gene has been stably integrated into the genome. The expression “heterologous gene” essentially means a gene which is provided or assembled outside the plant and when introduced in the nuclear, chloroplastic or mitochondrial genome gives the transformed plant new or improved agronomic or other properties by expressing a protein or polypeptide of interest or by downregulating or silencing other gene(s) which are present in the plant (using for example, antisense technology, co suppression technology or RNA interference—RNAi-technology). A heterologous gene that is located in the genome is also called a transgene. A transgene that is defined by its particular location in the plant genome is called a transformation or transgenic event.

Depending on the plant species or plant cultivars, their location and growth conditions (soils, climate, vegetation period, diet), the treatment according to the invention may also result in superadditive (“synergistic”) effects. Thus, for example, reduced application rates and/or a widening of the activity spectrum and/or an increase in the activity of the active compounds and compositions which can be used according to the invention, better plant growth, increased tolerance to high or low temperatures, increased tolerance to drought or to water or soil salt content, increased flowering performance, easier harvesting, accelerated maturation, higher harvest yields, bigger fruits, larger plant height, greener leaf color, earlier flowering, higher quality and/or a higher nutritional value of the harvested products, higher sugar concentration within the fruits, better storage stability and/or processability of the harvested products are possible, which exceed the effects which were actually to be expected.

At certain application rates, the active compound combinations according to the invention may also have a strengthening effect in plants. Accordingly, they are also suitable for mobilizing the defense system of the plant against attack by unwanted phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms and/or viruses. This may, if appropriate, be one of the reasons of the enhanced activity of the combinations according to the invention, for example against fungi. Plant-strengthening (resistance-inducing) substances are to be understood as meaning, in the present context, those substances or combinations of substances which are capable of stimulating the defense system of plants in such a way that, when subsequently inoculated with unwanted phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms and/or viruses, the treated plants display a substantial degree of resistance to these unwanted phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms and/or viruses. In the present case, unwanted phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms and/or viruses are to be understood as meaning phytopathogenic fungi, bacteria and viruses. Thus, the substances according to the invention can be employed for protecting plants against attack by the abovementioned pathogens within a certain period of time after the treatment. The period of time within which protection is effected generally extends from 1 to 10 days, preferably 1 to 7 days, after the treatment of the plants with the active compounds.

Plants and plant cultivars which are preferably to be treated according to the invention include all plants which have genetic material which impart particularly advantageous, useful traits to these plants (whether obtained by breeding and/or biotechnological means).

Plants and plant cultivars which are also preferably to be treated according to the invention are resistant against one or more biotic stresses, i.e. said plants show a better defense against animal and microbial pests, such as against nematodes, insects, mites, phytopathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses and/or viroids.

Plants and plant cultivars which may also be treated according to the invention are those plants which are resistant to one or more abiotic stresses. Abiotic stress conditions may include, for example, drought, cold temperature exposure, heat exposure, osmotic stress, flooding, increased soil salinity, increased mineral exposure, ozon exposure, high light exposure, limited availability of nitrogen nutrients, limited availability of phosphorus nutrients, shade avoidance.

Plants and plant cultivars which may also be treated according to the invention, are those plants characterized by enhanced yield characteristics. Increased yield in said plants can be the result of, for example, improved plant physiology, growth and development, such as water use efficiency, water retention efficiency, improved nitrogen use, enhanced carbon assimilation, improved photosynthesis, increased germination efficiency and accelerated maturation. Yield can furthermore be affected by improved plant architecture (under stress and non-stress conditions), including but not limited to, early flowering, flowering control for hybrid seed production, seedling vigor, plant size, internode number and distance, root growth, seed size, fruit size, pod size, pod or ear number, seed number per pod or ear, seed mass, enhanced seed filling, reduced seed dispersal, reduced pod dehiscence and lodging resistance. Further yield traits include seed composition, such as carbohydrate content, protein content, oil content and composition, nutritional value, reduction in anti-nutritional compounds, improved processability and better storage stability.

Plants that may be treated according to the invention are hybrid plants that already express the characteristic of heterosis or hybrid vigor which results in generally higher yield, vigor, health and resistance towards biotic and abiotic stress factors. Such plants are typically made by crossing an inbred male-sterile parent line (the female parent) with another inbred male-fertile parent line (the male parent). Hybrid seed is typically harvested from the male sterile plants and sold to growers. Male sterile plants can sometimes (e.g. in corn) be produced by detasseling, i.e. the mechanical removal of the male reproductive organs (or males flowers) but, more typically, male sterility is the result of genetic determinants in the plant genome. In that case, and especially when seed is the desired product to be harvested from the hybrid plants it is typically useful to ensure that male fertility in the hybrid plants is fully restored. This can be accomplished by ensuring that the male parents have appropriate fertility restorer genes which are capable of restoring the male fertility in hybrid plants that contain the genetic determinants responsible for male-sterility. Genetic determinants for male sterility may be located in the cytoplasm. Examples of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) were for instance described in Brassica species (WO 1992/005251, WO 1995/009910, WO 1998/27806, WO 2005/002324, WO 2006/021972 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,229,072). However, genetic determinants for male sterility can also be located in the nuclear genome. Male sterile plants can also be obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering. A particularly useful means of obtaining male-sterile plants is described in WO 1989/10396 in which, for example, a ribonuclease such as barnase is selectively expressed in the tapetum cells in the stamens. Fertility can then be restored by expression in the tapetum cells of a ribonuclease inhibitor such as barstar (e.g. WO 1991/002069).

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may be treated according to the invention are herbicide-tolerant plants, i.e. plants made tolerant to one or more given herbicides. Such plants can be obtained either by genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containing a mutation imparting such herbicide tolerance.

Herbicide-tolerant plants are for example glyphosate-tolerant plants, i.e. plants made tolerant to the herbicide glyphosate or salts thereof. Plants can be made tolerant to glyphosate through different means. For example, glyphosate-tolerant plants can be obtained by transforming the plant with a gene encoding the enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS). Examples of such EPSPS genes are the AroA gene (mutant CT7) of the bacterium Salmonella typhimurium (Comai et al., Science (1983), 221, 370-371), the CP4 gene of the bacterium Agrobacterium sp. (Barry et al., Curr. Topics Plant Physiol. (1992), 7, 139-145), the genes encoding a Petunia EPSPS (Shah et al., Science (1986), 233, 478-481), a Tomato EPSPS (Gasser et al., J. Biol. Chem. (1988), 263, 4280-4289), or an Eleusine EPSPS (WO 2001/66704). It can also be a mutated EPSPS as described in for example EP-A 0837944, WO 2000/066746, WO 2000/066747 or WO 2002/026995. Glyphosate-tolerant plants can also be obtained by expressing a gene that encodes a glyphosate oxido-reductase enzyme as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,776,760 and 5,463,175. Glyphosate-tolerant plants can also be obtained by expressing a gene that encodes a glyphosate acetyl transferase enzyme as described in for example WO 2002/036782, WO 2003/092360, WO 2005/012515 and WO 2007/024782. Glyphosate-tolerant plants can also be obtained by selecting plants containing naturally-occurring mutations of the above-mentioned genes, as described in for example WO 2001/024615 or WO 2003/013226.

Other herbicide resistant plants are for example plants that are made tolerant to herbicides inhibiting the enzyme glutamine synthase, such as bialaphos, phosphinothricin or glufosinate. Such plants can be obtained by expressing an enzyme detoxifying the herbicide or a mutant glutamine synthase enzyme that is resistant to inhibition. One such efficient detoxifying enzyme is an enzyme encoding a phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (such as the bar or pat protein from Streptomyces species). Plants expressing an exogenous phosphinothricin acetyltransferase are for example described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,561,236; 5,648,477; 5,646,024; 5,273,894; 5,637,489; 5,276,268; 5,739,082; 5,908,810 and 7,112,665.

Further herbicide-tolerant plants are also plants that are made tolerant to the herbicides inhibiting the enzyme hydroxyphenylpyruvatedioxygenase (HPPD). Hydroxyphenylpyruvatedioxygenases are enzymes that catalyze the reaction in which para-hydroxyphenylpyruvate (HPP) is transformed into homogentisate. Plants tolerant to HPPD-inhibitors can be transformed with a gene encoding a naturally-occurring resistant HPPD enzyme, or a gene encoding a mutated HPPD enzyme as described in WO 1996/038567, WO 1999/024585 and WO 1999/024586. Tolerance to HPPD-inhibitors can also be obtained by transforming plants with genes encoding certain enzymes enabling the formation of homogentisate despite the inhibition of the native HPPD enzyme by the HPPD-inhibitor. Such plants and genes are described in WO 1999/034008 and WO 2002/36787. Tolerance of plants to HPPD inhibitors can also be improved by transforming plants with a gene encoding an enzyme prephenate dehydrogenase in addition to a gene encoding an HPPD-tolerant enzyme, as described in WO 2004/024928.

Still further herbicide resistant plants are plants that are made tolerant to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors. Known ALS-inhibitors include, for example, sulfonylurea, imidazolinone, triazolopyrimidines, pyrimidinyloxy(thio)benzoates, and/or sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinone herbicides. Different mutations in the ALS enzyme (also known as acetohydroxyacid synthase, AHAS) are known to confer tolerance to different herbicides and groups of herbicides, as described for example in Tranel and Wright, Weed Science (2002), 50, 700-712, but also, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,605,011, 5,378,824, 5,141,870, and 5,013,659. The production of sulfonylurea-tolerant plants and imidazolinone-tolerant plants is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,605,011; 5,013,659; 5,141,870; 5,767,361; 5,731,180; 5,304,732; 4,761,373; 5,331,107; 5,928,937; and 5,378,824; and international publication WO 1996/033270. Other imidazolinone-tolerant plants are also described in for example WO 2004/040012, WO 2004/106529, WO 2005/020673, WO 2005/093093, WO 2006/007373, WO 2006/015376, WO 2006/024351, and WO 2006/060634. Further sulfonylurea- and imidazolinone-tolerant plants are also described in for example WO 2007/024782.

Other plants tolerant to imidazolinone and/or sulfonylurea can be obtained by induced mutagenesis, selection in cell cultures in the presence of the herbicide or mutation breeding as described for example for soybeans in U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,082, for rice in WO 1997/41218, for sugar beet in U.S. Pat. No. 5,773,702 and WO 1999/057965, for lettuce in U.S. Pat. No. 5,198,599, or for sunflower in WO 2001/065922.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to the invention are insect-resistant transgenic plants, i.e. plants made resistant to attack by certain target insects. Such plants can be obtained by genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containing a mutation imparting such insect resistance. An “insect-resistant transgenic plant”, as used herein, includes any plant containing at least one transgene comprising a coding sequence encoding:

-   -   1) an insecticidal crystal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis         or an insecticidal portion thereof, such as the insecticidal         crystal proteins listed by Crickmore et al., Microbiology and         Molecular Biology Reviews (1998), 62, 807-813, updated by         Crickmore et al. (2005) at the Bacillus thuringiensis toxin         nomenclature, online at:         http://www.lifesci.sussex.ac.uk/Home/Neil_Crickmore/Bt/), or         insecticidal portions thereof, e.g., proteins of the Cry protein         classes Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1F, Cry2Ab, Cry3Aa, or Cry3Bb or         insecticidal portions thereof; or     -   2) a crystal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or a portion         thereof which is insecticidal in the presence of a second other         crystal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or a portion         thereof, such as the binary toxin made up of the Cry34 and Cry35         crystal proteins (Moellenbeck et al., Nat. Biotechnol. (2001),         19, 668-72; Schnepf et al., Applied Environm. Microbiol. (2006),         71, 1765-1774); or     -   3) a hybrid insecticidal protein comprising parts of different         insecticidal crystal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis, such         as a hybrid of the proteins of 1) above or a hybrid of the         proteins of 2) above, e.g., the Cry1A.105 protein produced by         corn event MON98034 (WO 2007/027777); or     -   4) a protein of any one of 1) to 3) above wherein some,         particularly 1 to 10, amino acids have been replaced by another         amino acid to obtain a higher insecticidal activity to a target         insect species, and/or to expand the range of target insect         species affected, and/or because of changes introduced into the         encoding DNA during cloning or transformation, such as the         Cry3Bb1 protein in corn events MON863 or MON88017, or the Cry3A         protein in corn event MIR604;     -   5) an insecticidal secreted protein from Bacillus thuringiensis         or Bacillus cereus, or an insecticidal portion thereof, such as         the vegetative insecticidal (VIP) proteins listed at:         http://www.lifesci.sussex.ac.uk/home/Neil_Crickmore/Bt/vip.html,         e.g., proteins from the VIP3Aa protein class; or     -   6) a secreted protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or Bacillus         cereus which is insecticidal in the presence of a second         secreted protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or B. cereus, such         as the binary toxin made up of the VIP1A and VIP2A proteins (WO         1994/21795); or     -   7) a hybrid insecticidal protein comprising parts from different         secreted proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis or Bacillus         cereus, such as a hybrid of the proteins in 1) above or a hybrid         of the proteins in 2) above; or     -   8) a protein of any one of 1) to 3) above wherein some,         particularly 1 to 10, amino acids have been replaced by another         amino acid to obtain a higher insecticidal activity to a target         insect species, and/or to expand the range of target insect         species affected, and/or because of changes introduced into the         encoding DNA during cloning or transformation (while still         encoding an insecticidal protein), such as the VIP3Aa protein in         cotton event COT102.

Of course, an insect-resistant transgenic plant, as used herein, also includes any plant comprising a combination of genes encoding the proteins of any one of the above classes 1 to 8. In one embodiment, an insect-resistant plant contains more than one transgene encoding a protein of any one of the above classes 1 to 8, to expand the range of target insect species affected when using different proteins directed at different target insect species, or to delay insect resistance development to the plants by using different proteins insecticidal to the same target insect species but having a different mode of action, such as binding to different receptor binding sites in the insect.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to the invention are tolerant to abiotic stresses. Such plants can be obtained by genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containing a mutation imparting such stress resistance. Particularly useful stress tolerance plants include:

-   -   a. plants which contain a transgene capable of reducing the         expression and/or the activity of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase         (PARP) gene in the plant cells or plants as described in WO         2000/004173 or WO2006/045633 or PCT/EP07/004142.     -   b. plants which contain a stress tolerance enhancing transgene         capable of reducing the expression and/or the activity of the         PARG encoding genes of the plants or plants cells, as described         e.g. in WO 2004/090140.     -   c. plants which contain a stress tolerance enhancing transgene         coding for a plant-functional enzyme of the nicotinamide adenine         dinucleotide salvage synthesis pathway including nicotinamidase,         nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase, nicotinic acid         mononucleotide adenyl transferase, nicotinamide adenine         dinucleotide synthetase or nicotine amide         phosphoribosyltransferase as described e.g. in WO2006/032469 or         WO 2006/133827 or PCT/EP07/002433.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to the invention show altered quantity, quality and/or storage-stability of the harvested product and/or altered properties of specific ingredients of the harvested product such as:

-   -   1) transgenic plants which synthesize a modified starch, which         in its physical-chemical characteristics, in particular the         amylose content or the amylose/amylopectin ratio, the degree of         branching, the average chain length, the side chain         distribution, the viscosity behaviour, the gelling strength, the         starch grain size and/or the starch grain morphology, is changed         in comparison with the synthesised starch in wild type plant         cells or plants, so that this is better suited for special         applications. Said transgenic plants synthesizing a modified         starch are disclosed, for example, in EP 0571427, WO         1995/004826, EP 0719338, WO 1996/15248, WO 1996/19581, WO         1996/27674, WO 1997/11188, WO 1997/26362, WO 1997/32985, WO         1997/42328, WO 1997/44472, WO 1997/45545, WO 1998/27212, WO         1998/40503, WO99/58688, WO 1999/58690, WO 1999/58654, WO         2000/008184, WO 2000/008185, WO 2000/008175, WO 2000/28052, WO         2000/77229, WO 2001/12782, WO 2001/12826, WO 2002/101059, WO         2003/071860, WO 2004/056999, WO 2005/030942, WO 2005/030941, WO         2005/095632, WO 2005/095617, WO 2005/095619, WO 2005/095618, WO         2005/123927, WO 2006/018319, WO 2006/103107, WO 2006/108702, WO         2007/009823, WO 2000/22140, WO 2006/063862, WO 2006/072603, WO         2002/034923, EP 06090134.5, EP 06090228.5, EP 06090227.7, EP         07090007.1, EP 07090009.7, WO 2001/14569, WO 2002/79410, WO         2003/33540, WO 2004/078983, WO 2001/19975, WO 1995/26407, WO         1996/34968, WO 1998/20145, WO 1999/12950, WO 1999/66050, WO         1999/53072, U.S. Pat. No. 6,734,341, WO 2000/11192, WO         1998/22604, WO 1998/32326, WO 2001/98509, WO 2001/98509, WO         2005/002359, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,824,790, 6,013,861, WO         1994/004693, WO 1994/009144, WO 1994/11520, WO 1995/35026, WO         1997/20936.     -   2) transgenic plants which synthesize non starch carbohydrate         polymers or which synthesize non starch carbohydrate polymers         with altered properties in comparison to wild type plants         without genetic modification. Examples are plants producing         polyfructose, especially of the inulin and levan-type, as         disclosed in EP 0663956, WO 1996/001904, WO 1996/021023, WO         1998/039460, and WO 1999/024593, plants producing alpha 1,4         glucans as disclosed in WO 1995/031553, US 2002/031826, U.S.         Pat. No. 6,284,479, U.S. Pat. No. 5,712,107, WO 1997/047806, WO         1997/047807, WO 1997/047808 and WO 2000/014249, plants producing         alpha-1,6 branched alpha-1,4-glucans, as disclosed in WO         2000/73422, plants producing alternan, as disclosed in WO         2000/047727, EP 06077301.7, U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,975 and EP         0728213,     -   3) transgenic plants which produce hyaluronan, as for example         disclosed in WO 2006/032538, WO 2007/039314, WO 2007/039315, WO         2007/039316, JP 2006/304779, and WO 2005/012529.

Plants or plant cultivars (that can be obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to the invention are plants, such as cotton plants, with altered fiber characteristics. Such plants can be obtained by genetic transformation, or by selection of plants contain a mutation imparting such altered fiber characteristics and include:

-   -   a) Plants, such as cotton plants, containing an altered form of         cellulose synthase genes as described in WO 1998/000549     -   b) Plants, such as cotton plants, containing an altered form of         rsw2 or rsw3 homologous nucleic acids as described in         WO2004/053219     -   c) Plants, such as cotton plants, with increased expression of         sucrose phosphate synthase as described in WO 2001/017333     -   d) Plants, such as cotton plants, with increased expression of         sucrose synthase as described in WO02/45485     -   e) Plants, such as cotton plants, wherein the timing of the         plasmodesmatal gating at the basis of the fiber cell is altered,         e.g. through downregulation of fiberselective β 1,3-glucanase as         described in WO2005/017157     -   f) Plants, such as cotton plants, having fibers with altered         reactivity, e.g. through the expression of         N-acteylglucosaminetransferase gene including nodC and         chitinsynthase genes as described in WO2006/136351

Plants or plant cultivars (that can be obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to the invention are plants, such as oilseed rape or related Brassica plants, with altered oil profile characteristics. Such plants can be obtained by genetic transformation or by selection of plants contain a mutation imparting such altered oil characteristics and include:

-   -   a) Plants, such as oilseed rape plants, producing oil having a         high oleic acid content as described e.g. in U.S. Pat. Nos.         5,969,169, 5,840,946 or 6,323,392 or 6,063,947     -   b) Plants such as oilseed rape plants, producing oil having a         low linolenic acid content as described in U.S. Pat. Nos.         6,270,828, 6,169,190 or 5,965,755     -   c) Plant such as oilseed rape plants, producing oil having a low         level of saturated fatty acids as described e.g. in U.S. Pat.         No. 5,434,283

Particularly useful transgenic plants which may be treated according to the invention are plants which comprise one or more genes which encode one or more toxins, such as the following which are sold under the trade names YIELD GARD® (for example maize, cotton, soya beans), KnockOut® (for example maize), BiteGard® (for example maize), Bt-Xtra® (for example maize), StarLink® (for example maize), Bollgard® (cotton), Nucotn® (cotton), Nucotn 33B® (cotton), NatureGard® (for example maize), Protecta® and NewLeaf® (potato). Examples of herbicide-tolerant plants which may be mentioned are maize varieties, cotton varieties and soya bean varieties which are sold under the trade names Roundup Ready® (tolerance to glyphosate, for example maize, cotton, soya bean), Liberty Link® (tolerance to phosphinotricin, for example oilseed rape), IMI® (tolerance to imidazolinones) and STS® (tolerance to sulphonylureas, for example maize). Herbicide-resistant plants (plants bred in a conventional manner for herbicide tolerance) which may be mentioned include the varieties sold under the name Clearfield® (for example maize).

Particularly useful transgenic plants which may be treated according to the invention are plants containing transformation events, or combination of transformation events, that are listed for example in the databases from various national or regional regulatory agencies (see for example http://gmoinfo.jrc.it/gmp_browse.aspx and http://www.agbios.com/dbase.php).

The composition according to the invention can also be used against fungal diseases liable to grow on or inside timber. The term “timber” means all types of species of wood and all types of working of this wood intended for construction, for example solid wood, high-density wood, laminated wood and plywood. The method for treating timber according to the invention mainly consists in contacting one or more compounds according to the invention or a composition according to the invention; this includes for example direct application, spraying, dipping, injection or any other suitable means.

Among the diseases of plants or crops that can be controlled by the method according to the invention, mention can be made of:

Powdery Mildew Diseases such as

-   Blumeria diseases caused for example by Blumeria graminis; -   Podosphaera diseases caused for example by Podosphaera leucotricha; -   Sphaerotheca diseases caused for example by Sphaerotheca fuliginea; -   Uncinula diseases caused for example by Uncinula necator;

Rust Diseases such as

-   Gymnosporangium diseases caused for example by Gymnosporangium     sabinae; -   Hemileia diseases caused for example by Hemileia vastatrix; -   Phakopsora diseases caused for example by Phakopsora pachyrhizi and     Phakopsora meibomiae; -   Puccinia diseases caused for example by Puccinia recondite, Puccinia     graminis or Puccinia striiformis; -   Uromyces diseases caused for example by Uromyces appendiculatus;

Oomycete Diseases such as

-   Albugo diseases caused for example by Albugo candida; -   Bremia diseases caused for example by Bremia lactucae; -   Peronospora diseases caused for example by Peronospora pisi and     Peronospora brassicae; -   Phytophthora diseases caused for example by Phytophthora infestans; -   Plasmopara diseases caused for example by Plasmopara viticola; -   Pseudoperonospora diseases caused for example by Pseudoperonospora     humuli and Pseudoperonospora cubensis; -   Pythium diseases caused for example by Pythium ultimum;

Leaf spot, Leaf blotch and Leaf Blight Diseases such as

-   Alternaria diseases caused for example by Alternaria solani; -   Cercospora diseases caused for example by Cercospora beticola; -   Cladiosporium diseases caused for example by Cladiosporium     cucumerinum; -   Cochliobolus diseases caused for example by Cochliobolus sativus     (Conidiaform: Drechslera, Syn: Helminthosporium) or Cochliobolus     miyabeanus; -   Colletotrichum diseases caused for example by Colletotrichum     lindemuthianum; -   Cycloconium diseases caused for example by Cycloconium oleaginum; -   Diaporthe diseases caused for example by Diaporthe citri; -   Elsinoe diseases caused for example by Elsinoe fawcettii; -   Gloeosporium diseases caused for example by Gloeosporium laeticolor; -   Glomerella diseases caused for example by Glomerella cingulata; -   Guignardia diseases caused for example by Guignardia bidwellii; -   Leptosphaeria diseases caused for example by Leptosphaeria maculans     and Leptosphaeria nodorum; -   Magnaporthe diseases caused for example by Magnaporthe grisea; -   Mycosphaerella diseases caused for example by Mycosphaerella     graminicola, Mycosphaerella arachidicola and Mycosphaerella     fijiensis; -   Phaeosphaeria diseases caused for example by Phaeosphaeria nodorum; -   Pyrenophora diseases caused for example by Pyrenophora teres or     Pyrenophora tritici repentis; -   Ramularia-diseases caused for example by Ramularia collo-cygni or     Ramularia areola; -   Rhynchosporium diseases caused for example by Rhynchosporium     secalis; -   Septoria diseases caused for example by Septoria apii and Septoria     lycopersici; -   Typhula diseases caused for example by Thyphula incarnata; -   Venturia diseases caused for example by Venturia inaequalis;

Root-, Sheath and Stem Diseases such as

-   Corticium diseases caused for example by Corticium graminearum; -   Fusarium diseases caused for example by Fusarium oxysporum; -   Gaeumannomyces diseases caused for example by Gaeumannomyces     graminis; -   Rhizoctonia diseases caused for example by Rhizoctonia solani; -   Sarocladium diseases caused for example by Sarocladium oryzae; -   Sclerotium diseases caused for example by Sclerotium oryzae; -   Tapesia diseases caused for example by Tapesia acuformis; -   Thielaviopsis diseases caused for example by Thielaviopsis basicola;

Ear and Panicle Diseases including Maize cob such as

-   Alternaria diseases caused for example by Alternaria spp.; -   Aspergillus diseases caused for example by Aspergillus flavus; -   Cladosporium diseases caused for example by Cladiosporium     cladosporioides; -   Claviceps diseases caused for example by Claviceps purpurea; -   Fusarium diseases caused for example by Fusarium culmorum; -   Gibberella diseases caused for example by Gibberella zeae; -   Monographella diseases caused for example by Monographella nivalis;

Smut- and Bunt Diseases such as

-   Sphacelotheca diseases caused for example by Sphacelotheca reiliana; -   Tilletia diseases caused for example by Tilletia caries; -   Urocystis diseases caused for example by Urocystis occulta; -   Ustilago diseases caused for example by Ustilago nuda;

Fruit Rot and Mould Diseases such as

-   Aspergillus diseases caused for example by Aspergillus flavus; -   Botrytis diseases caused for example by Botrytis cinerea; -   Penicillium diseases caused for example by Penicillium expansum and     Penicillium purpurogenum; -   Rhizopus diseases caused by example by Rhizopus stolonifer -   Sclerotinia diseases caused for example by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum; -   Verticillium diseases caused for example by Verticillium alboatrum;

Seed- and Soilborne Decay, Mould, Wilt, Rot and Damping-off diseases

-   Alternaria diseases caused for example by Alternaria brassicicola; -   Aphanomyces diseases caused for example by Aphanomyces euteiches; -   Ascochyta diseases caused for example by Ascochyta lentis; -   Aspergillus diseases caused for example by Aspergillus flavus; -   Cladosporium diseases caused for example by Cladosporium herbarum; -   Cochliobolus diseases caused for example by Cochliobolus sativus; -   (Conidiaform: Drechslera, Bipolaris Syn: Helminthosporium); -   Colletotrichum diseases caused for example by Colletotrichum     coccodes; -   Fusarium diseases caused for example by Fusarium culmorum; -   Gibberella diseases caused for example by Gibberella zeae; -   Macrophomina diseases caused for example by Macrophomina phaseolina; -   Microdochium diseases caused for example by Microdochium nivale; -   Monographella diseases caused for example by Monographella nivalis; -   Penicillium diseases caused for example by Penicillium expansum; -   Phoma diseases caused for example by Phoma lingam; -   Phomopsis diseases caused for example by Phomopsis sojae; -   Phytophthora diseases caused for example by Phytophthora cactorum; -   Pyrenophora diseases caused for example by Pyrenophora graminea; -   Pyricularia diseases caused for example by Pyricularia oryzae; -   Pythium diseases caused for example by Pythium ultimum; -   Rhizoctonia diseases caused for example by Rhizoctonia solani; -   Rhizopus diseases caused for example by Rhizopus oryzae; -   Sclerotium diseases caused for example by Sclerotium rolfsii; -   Septoria diseases caused for example by Septoria nodorum; -   Typhula diseases caused for example by Typhula incarnate; -   Verticillium diseases caused for example by Verticillium dahliae;

Canker, Broom and Dieback Diseases such as

-   Nectria diseases caused for example by Nectria galligena;

Blight Diseases such as

-   Monilinia diseases caused for example by Monilinia laxa;

Leaf Blister or Leaf Curl Diseases including deformation of blooms and fruits such as

-   Exobasidium diseases caused for example by Exobasidium vexans. -   Taphrina diseases caused for example by Taphrina deformans;

Decline Diseases of Wooden Plants such as

-   Esca disease caused for example by Phaeomoniella clamydospora,     Phaeoacremonium aleophilum and Fomitiporia mediterranea; -   Ganoderma diseases caused for example by Ganoderma boninense; -   Rigidoporus diseases caused for example by Rigidoporus lignosus

Diseases of Flowers and Seeds such as

-   Botrytis diseases caused for example by Botrytis cinerea;

Diseases of Tubers such as

-   Rhizoctonia diseases caused for example by Rhizoctonia solani; -   Helminthosporium diseases caused for example by Helminthosporium     solani;

Club root diseases such as

-   Plasmodiophora diseases, cause for example by Plasmodiophora     brassicae.

Diseases caused by Bacterial Organisms such as

-   Xanthomonas species for example Xanthomonas campestris pv. oryzae; -   Pseudomonas species for example Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans; -   Erwinia species for example Erwinia amylovora.

The compounds according to the invention can also be used for the preparation of composition useful to curatively or preventively treat human or animal fungal diseases such as, for example, mycoses, dermatoses, trichophyton diseases and candidiases or diseases caused by Aspergillus spp., for example Aspergillus fumigatus.

The various aspects of the invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following table 1 of compound examples and the following preparation or efficacy examples.

The following table 1 illustrates in a non limiting manner examples of compounds according to the invention.

In table 1 we use the following abbreviations for specified claimed elements “Het” and “A” of the generic structure (I) of the invention: Het¹ Het² A¹

TABLE 1 MW Ex. Het Z R² R³ R⁴ L¹ X¹ X² X³ X⁴ X⁵ A log p measured 1 Het² bromo H CH(CH₃) H H H H H A1 3.44^([a]) 2 Het² cyclopropylethynyl H CH(CH₃) H H H H H A1 3.89^([a]) 3 Het² 5-phenylpent-1-yn-1-yl H CH(CH₃) H H H H H A1 5.08^([a]) 4 Het² 3-cyclopentylprop-1-yn-1-yl H CH(CH₃) H H H H H A1 5.23^([a]) 5 Het² 3-cyclohexylprop-1-yn-1-yl H CH(CH₃) H H H H H A1 5.65^([a]) 6 Het² hex-1-yn-1-yl H CH(CH₃) H H H H H A1 4.73^([a]) 7 Het² bromo H CH₂CH₂ H H H H H A1 3.25^([a]) 8 Het² cyclopropylethynyl H CH₂CH₂ H H H H H A1 3.69^([a]) 9 Het² hex-1-yn-1-yl H CH₂CH₂ H H H H H A1 4.46^([a]) 10 Het¹ H H H H carbonyl H H H H H A1 2.13^([b]) 309 11 Het¹ H H H H CH(CH₃) H H H H H A1 2.19^([b]) 309 12 Het¹ amino H H H CH(CH₃) H H H H H A1 1.34^([b]) 324 13 Het¹ (3-methylbutanoyl)amino H H H CH(CH₃) H H H H H A1 3.53^([b]) 408 14 Het¹ hexanoylamino H H H CH(CH₃) H H H H H A1 3.83^([b]) 422 15 Het¹ [(pentyloxy)carbonyl]amino H H H CH(CH₃) H H H H H A1 4.41^([b]) 438 16 Het¹ amino H H H CH(CH₃) H H H H H A1 1.21^([b]) 324 17 Het¹ hexanoylamino H H H CH(CH₃) H H H H H A1 3.96^([b]) 422 18 Het¹ [(pentyloxy)carbonyl]amino H H H CH(CH₃) H H H H H A1 4.54^([b]) 438 19 Het¹ (2,2-dimethylpropanoyl)amino H H H CH(CH₃) H H H H H A1 3.64^([b]) 408 20 Het¹ (tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino H H H CH(CH₃) H H H H H A1 4.09^([b]) 424

Measurement of logP values was performed according EEC directive 79/831 Annex V.A8 by HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) on reversed phase columns with the following methods:

-   ^([a]) Measurement was done at pH 2.3 with 0.1% phosphoric acid and     acetonitrile as eluent. -   ^([b]) measurement of LC-MS was done at pH 2.7 with 0.1% formic acid     in water and with acetonitrile (contains 0.1% formic acid) as eluent     with a linear gradient from 10% acetonitrile to 95% acetonitrile. -   ^([c]) Measurement with LC-MS was done at pH 7.8 with 0.001 molar     ammonium hydrogen carbonate solution in water as eluent with a     linear gradient from 10% acetonitrile to 95% acetonitrile.

Calibration was done with not branched alkan2-ones (with 3 to 16 carbon atoms) with known logP-values (measurement of logP values using retention times with linear interpolation between successive alkanones). lambda-maX-values were determined using UV-spectra from 200 nm to 400 nm and the peak values of the chromatographic signals.

In table 1, M+H (or M H) means the molecular ion peak, plus or minus 1 a.m.u. (atomic mass unit) respectively, as observed in mass spectroscopy and M (Apcl+) means the molecular ion peak as it was found via positive atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation in mass spectroscopy.

In all examples of table 1 the M+1 peak was measured.

Double bond geometry:

In the following list we specify the double bond geometry of the examples of table 1 as shown here:

E Z U

Example(Double bond geometry) of the examples of table 1: 13(Z), 14(E), 15(E), 16(Z), 17(Z), 18(Z), 20(Z). All other examples are of Type “U”.

EXAMPLE A

Phytophthora Test (Tomato)/Preventive

-   Solvent: 49 parts by weight of N,N-Dimethylformamide -   Emulsifier: 1 part by weight of Alkylarylpolyglycolether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound is mixed with the stated amounts of solvent and emulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with water to the desired concentration.

To test for preventive activity, young plants are sprayed with the preparation of active compound at the stated rate of application. One day after this treatment, the plants are inoculated with an aqueous spore suspension of Phytophthora infestans. The plants remain for one day in an incubation cabinet at approximately 22° C. and a relative atmospheric humidity of 100%. Then the plants are placed in an incubation cabinet at approximately 20° C. and a relative atmospheric humidity of 96%.

The test is evaluated 7 days after the inoculation. 0% means an efficacy which corresponds to that of the control, while an efficacy of 100% means that no disease is observed.

In this test the following compounds of table 1 according to the invention showed efficacy of 70% or even higher at a concentration of 500 ppm of active ingredient: Example Nr. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 16, 17 and 18.

EXAMPLE B

Plasmopara Test (Grapevines)/Protective

-   Solvent: 24.5 parts by weight of acetone -    24.5 parts by weight of dimethylacetamide -   Emulsifier: 1 part by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound is mixed with the stated amounts of solvent and emulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with water to the desired concentration.

To test for protective activity, young plants are sprayed with the preparation of active compound at the stated rate of application. After the spray coating has dried on, the plants are inoculated with an aqueous spore suspension of Plasmopara viticola and then remain for 1 day in an incubation cabinet at approximately 20° C. and a relative atmospheric humidity of 100%. The plant is subsequently placed for 4 days in a greenhouse at approximately 21° C. and a relative atmospheric humidity of approximately 90%. The plants are then misted and placed for 1 day in an incubation cabinet.

The test is evaluated 6 days after the inoculation. 0% means an efficacy which corresponds to that of the control, while an efficacy of 100% means that no disease is observed.

In this test the following compounds of table 1 according to the invention showed efficacy of 70% or even higher at a concentration of 100 ppm of active ingredient: Example Nr. 2, 3, 5, 6, 17 and 18.

EXAMPLE C

In Vitro-Test for the Calculation of the ED50-Value with Pythium aphanidermatum

Wells of 96-hole microtitre plates are filled with 10 μl of a solution of the test compound in methanol together with the emulsifier alkylaryl polyglycol ether. Thereafter, the solvent is evaporated in a hood. At the next step, into each well 200 μl of liquid potato dextrose medium is given that has been amended with an appropriate concentration of spores or mycelium suspension of the test fungus. The resulting concentrations of the test compounds in the microtitre well are 50, 5, 0.5 and 0.05 ppm. The resulting concentration of the emulsifier in all wells is constantly 300 ppm. With the aid of a photometer the extinction in all wells is measured at the wavelength of 620 nm.

The microtiter plates are then transferred for 3-5 days onto a shaker at 20° C. and 85% relative humidity.

At the end of the incubation time the growth of the test organisms is measured again photometrically at the wavelength of 620 nm. The difference between the two extinction values (taken before and after incubation) is proportional to the growth of the test organism. Based on the Δ extinction data from the different test concentrations and that of the untreated test organism (control) a dose-response curve is calculated. The concentration that is necessary to give 50% growth inhibition is defined and reported as ED50-value (=Effective Dose that causes 50% growth inhibition) in ppm (=mg/l).

In this test the following compounds of table 1 according to the invention showed an ED50-value lower than 1 ppm: Example Nr. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19.

The following examples illustrate in a non-limiting manner the preparation and efficacy of the compounds of formula (I) according to the invention.

Preparation of 2,2-dimethyl-N-{6-[1-({[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)(phenyl)methylene]amino}oxy)ethyl]pyridin-2-yl}propanamide (Compound 19) According to Process P1

Step 1

Preparation of N-(6-bromopyridin-2-yl)-2,2-dimethylpropanamide

To a solution of 6-bromopyridin-2-amine (10 g, 57.79 mmol, 1 eq.) in 150 ml of DCM were added TEA (17.54 g, 173.3 mmol, 3 eq.) and 2,2-dimethylpropionyl chloride (10.45 g, 86.69 mmol, 1.5 eq.) dropwise. The temperature rose slowly. The reaction was stirred overnight at r.t. The white solid was removed by filtration and the solvent was evaporated. The crude was dissolved in with EtOAc and washed with 0.1N aq. HCl, sat. aqueous NaHCO₃. The organics were dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated. The resulting solid was recrystallized in EtOAc to give N-(6-bromopyridin-2-yl)-2,2-dimethylpropanamide (13.52 g, 91% yield) as a white solid.

HPLC/MS: m/z=258 (M+H); logP_((HCOOH))=2.84

Step 2

Preparation of N-[6-(1-hydroxyethyl)pyridin-2-yl]-2,2-dimethylpropanamide

A solution of N-(6-bromopyridin-2-yl)-2,2-dimethylpropanamide (2 g, 7.77 mmol, 1 eq.) in 25 ml of THF was cooled to −78° C. and n-BuLi (1.6 M, 9.72 ml, 15.55 mmol) was added dropwise. After 1 h, acetaldehyde (0.376 g, 8.55 mmol, 1.1 eq.) was added and the mixture was warmed to 0° C. within 1 h. The reaction was quenched with H₂O, and diluted with EtOAc. The aqueous layer was separated and extracted with EtOAc. The organics were combined, dried over MgSO4 and concentrated. The crude material was purified by chromatography on silica gel to give N-[6-(1-hydroxyethyl)pyridin-2-yl]-2,2-dimethylpropanamide (1.45 g, 83% yield) as a white solid.

HPLC/MS: m/z=223 (M+H); logP_((HCOOH))=1.08

Step 3

Preparation of N-[6-(1-bromoethyl)pyridin-2-yl]-2,2-dimethylpropanamide

A solution of N-[6-(1-hydroxyethyl)pyridin-2-yl]-2,2-dimethylpropanamide (1 g, 4.49 mmol, 1 eq.) in 20 ml of DCM was cooled to 0° C. and PPh₃ (1.65 g, 6.29 mmol, 1.4 eq.) was added followed by N-Bromosuccinimide (0.96 g, 5.39 mmol, 1.2 eq.). The reaction was stirred at 0° C. for 1 h and at r.t. for 1 h. The solvent was removed and residue purified by chromatography on silica gel to give N-[6-(1-bromoethyl)pyridin-2-yl]-2,2-dimethylpropanamide (1.025 g, 79% yield) as a clear oil.

HPLC/MS: m/z=286 (M+H); logP_((HCOOH))=3.05

Step 4

Preparation of 2,2-dimethyl-N-{6-[1-({[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)(phenyl)methylene]amino}oxy)ethyl]pyridin-2-yl}propanamide

To a stirred solution of N-hydroxy-1-(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-phenylmethanimine (10 g, 49.21 mmol, 1 eq.) in 250 ml of dioxanne, was added N-[6-(1-bromoethyl)pyridin-2-yl]-2,2-dimethylpropanamide (14 g, 49.21 mmol, 1 eq.), then was added cesium carbonate (16 g, 49.21 mmol, 1 eq.), and then was added potassium iodide (0.81 g, 4.92 mmol, 0.1 eq.). The reaction mixture was stirred for further 36 hrs. After evaporation of the solvent, the white residue was taken up with 200 ml of water, triturated and filtered, yielding to 2,2-dimethyl-N-{6-[1-({[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)(phenyl)methylene]amino}oxy)ethyl]pyridin-2-yl}propanamide (19.7 g, 90% pure, 88% yield) after air-drying.

HPLC/MS: m/z=408 (M+H); logP_((HCOOH))=3.64

Preparation of 6-[1-({[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)(phenyl)methylene]amino}oxy)ethyl]pyridin-2-amine (Compound 16) According to Process P2

To a stirred solution of 2,2-dimethyl-N-{6-[1-({[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)(phenyl)methylene]amino}oxy)ethyl]pyridin-2-yl}propanamide (19.7 g, 48.3 mmol, 1 eq.) in 200 ml of ethanol, was added potassium hydroxide (88.4 g, 1.57 mol, 32.6 eq.). The reaction mixture was stirred and heated to reflux for 4 hrs. After evaporation of the solvent, The residue was taken up with water (300 ml) and extracted with EtOAc (100 ml). The aqueous layer was separated and extracted twice with EtOAc (100 ml). The organics were combined, dried over MgSO4 and concentrated. The crude material was purified by chromatography on silica gel to give 6-[1-({[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)(phenyl)methylene]amino}oxy)ethyl]pyridin-2-amine (10.7 g, 90% pure, 61% yield)

HPLC/MS: m/z=324 (M+H); logP_((HCOOH))=1.21

Preparation of tert-butyl {6-[1-({[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)(phenyl)methylene]amino}oxy)ethyl]pyridin-2-yl}carbamate (Compound 20) According to Process P2

To a stirred solution of 6-[1-({[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)(phenyl)methylene]amino}oxy)ethyl]pyridin-2-amine (4.00 g, 12.37 mmol, 1 eq.) in 40 ml of dichloromethane, was added pyridine (2.40 ml, 17.32 mol, 1.4 eq.), then was added di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (3.24 g, 14.85 mmol, 1.2 eq.), The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. 50 ml of dichloromethane and 50 ml of water were added to the reaction mixture. The aqueous layer was separated and the organic phase was washed with brine (50 ml), dried over MgSO4 and concentrated. The crude material was purified by chromatography on silica gel to give tert-butyl {6-[1-({[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)(phenyl)methylene]amino}oxy)ethyl]pyridin-2-yl}carbamate (2.69 g, 95% pure, 49% yield)

HPLC/MS: m/z=424 (M+H); logP_((HCOOH))=4.09

Preparation of N-[(2-bromo-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)methoxy]-1-(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-phenylmethanimine (Compound 1) According to Process P1

Step 1

Preparation of 1-(2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)ethanol

To a stirred solution of 1-(2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)ethanone (10 g, 70.33 mmol, 1 eq.) in 100 ml dry THF cooled to 5° C., was added LiBH₄ (2M in THF, 38.7 ml, 77.36 mmol, 1.1 eq.) followed by MeOH (3.2 ml, 78 mmol, 1.11 eq.). The reaction was allowed to warm to r.t. and was stirred for further 18 hrs. The solvent was evaporated and the residue was partitioned between 250 ml EtOAc/250 ml water. Stirring was allowed for 10 mins. And the brown solid was filtered. The organic layer was separated, washed with brine, dried with MgSO₄ and evaporated to give viscous orange oil. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel to give 1-(2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)ethanol (2 g, 19% yield) as a white solid.

HPLC/MS: m/z=145 (M+H); logP_((HCOOH))=−0.16

Step 2

Preparation of 1-(2-bromo-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)ethanol

To a stirred solution of 1-(2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)ethanol (1.5 g, 10.40 mmol, 1 eq.) in 100 ml of MeCN, were added Copper (II) bromide (2.55 g, 11.44 mmol, 1.1 eq.) and t-Butylnitrite (1.31 g, 11.44 mmol, 1.1 eq.). The reaction was slowly heated to 80° C. for 1 h and allowed to cool. MeCN was evaporated and 250 ml water/250 ml DCM were added to the residue. The crude was triturated, filtered through “celite” plug and washed with further 50 ml of EtOAc. The organic layers were combined, dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated to give 1-(2-bromo-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)ethanol (0.75 g, 34% yield) as a pale yellow viscous oil.

HPLC/MS: m/z=209 (M+H); logP_((HCOOH))=1.10

Step 3

Preparation of 2-bromo-4-(1-bromoethyl)-1,3-thiazole

To a stirred solution thionyl bromide (0.787 g, 3.78 mmol, 1.05 eq.) in 20 ml dry DCM, cooled to 5° C., was added dropwise a solution of 1-(2-bromo-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)ethanol (0.75 g, 3.60 mmol, 1 eq.) and pyridine (0.285 g, 3.60 mmol, 1 eq.) in 15 ml dry DCM. On complete addition, the cooling bath was removed, the reaction warmed to room temperature and stirred 1.5 hr. 100 ml of water and 100 ml of DCM were added and stirring allowed for 2 mins. The organic layer was separated, dried of MgSO₄ and evaporated to give 2-bromo-4-(1-bromoethyl)-1,3-thiazole (0.9 g, 84% yield) as a yellow viscous oil.

HPLC/MS: m/z=271 (M+H); logP_((HCOOH))=2.61

Step 3

Preparation of N-[(2-bromo-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)methoxy]-1-(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-phenylmethanimine

To a cooled (0° C.) stirred solution of N-hydroxy-1-(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-phenylmethanimine (0.7 g, 3.44 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in 25 ml of MeCN, was added dropwise DBN (0.42 g, 3.44 mmol, 1.0 eq.). The reaction was stirred for 5 mins before addition of 2-bromo-4-(1-bromoethyl)-1,3-thiazole (0.86 g, 3.2 mmol, 0.93 eq.) portionwise. The mixture was stirred for further 5 mins before removal of the cooling bath and continued at ambient temperature. LCMS after 2 h would indicate reaction complete. MeCN was evaporated and the residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel to yield N-[(2-bromo-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)methoxy]-1-(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-phenylmethanimine (6.9 g, 79% yield, 9:1 mixture of stereoisomers).

HPLC/MS: m/z=394 (M+H); logP_((HCOOH))=3.44

Preparation of give N-{1-[2-(cyclopropylethynyl)-1,3-thiazol-4-yl]ethoxy}-1-(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-phenylmethanimine (Compound 2) according to process P3

To a stirred solution of N-[(2-bromo-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)methoxy]-1-(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-phenylmethanimine (0.15 g, 0.38 mmol, 1 eq.) in 2 ml dry THF “degassed” with N₂, was added Cyclopropylacetylene (70%, 0.144 g, 1.52 mmol, 4 eq.) followed by N-ethyldiisopropylamine (0.256 g, 1.98 mmol, 5.2 eq.), Copper Iodide (0.022 g, 0.1141 mmol, 0.3 eq.) and Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (0.132 g, 0.114 mmol, 0.2 eq.). The reaction was microwaved 120° C./normal/fixed hold/pre stir 100 s for 180 s. The reaction was diluted with EtOAc and filtered through a “celite” plug. The solvent was evaporated and the residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel to give N-{1-[2-(cyclopropylethynyl)-1,3-thiazol-4-yl]ethoxy}-1-(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-phenylmethanimine (0.074 g, 48% yield) as a yellow viscous oil.

HPLC/MS: m/z=379 (M+H); logP_((HCOOH))=3.89 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A hydroximoyl-tetrazole derivative compound of formula (I):

wherein A represents a tetrazoyl group of formula (A¹):

wherein Y represents an alkyl group; L¹ represents a direct bond or a divalent group selected in the list consisting of: —(CR¹R²)—, —(CR¹R²)_(m)—C(═O)—(CR¹R²)_(p)—, —(CR¹R²)_(m)—(CR¹═R²)—(CR¹R²)_(p)—, —(CR¹R²)_(m)—C(.═O)—O—(CR¹R²)_(p)—, —(CR¹R²)_(m)—C≡C—CR¹R²)_(p)—, —(CR¹R²—O—C(═O)—(CR¹R²)_(p)—, —(CR¹R²)_(m)—O—(CR¹R²)_(p)—, —(CR¹R²)_(m)—C(═O)—NH—(CR¹R²)_(p)—, —(CR¹R²)_(m)—NH—(CR¹R²)_(p)—, and —(CR¹R²)_(m)—NH—C(═O)—(CR¹R²)_(p)— wherein R¹ and R² are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, [C₁-C₄]-alkyl, [C₁-C₄]-haloalkyl, [C₂-C₄]-alkenyl, [C₂-C₄]-haloalkenyl, [C₂-C₄]-alkynyl, [C₂-C₄]-haloalkynyl, [C₃-C₅]-cycloalkyl, [C₃-C₅]-halocycloalkyl, [C₁-C₄]-alkoxy, [C₁-C₄]-alkoxy-[C₁-C₄]-alkyl, [C₁-C₄]-alkoxy-[C₁-C₄]-alkoxy, [C₁-C₄]-haloalkoxy, [C₁-C₄]-haloalkoxy-[C₁-C₄]-alkyl, carbonyloxy, [C₁-C₆]-alkoxy-carbonyl and cyano, R¹ and R² can form a 3- to 7-membered, saturated or unsaturated, carbo- or heterocycle; m and p independently represent 0, 1, 2 or 3; Het is a thiazolyl group of formula (Het²);

wherein R is hydrogen; z is selected from the group consisting of cyclopropylethynyl, 5-phenylpent-1-yn-1-yl, 3-cyclopentylprop-1-yn-1-yl, 3-cyclohexylprop-1-yn-1-yl, and hex-1-yn-1-yl; X is hydrogen; and q is 1; or a salt or N-oxide thereof.
 2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein Y is an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
 3. A hydroximoyl-tetrazole derivative compound of formula (I):

wherein A is a tetrazoyl group of formula (A¹):

wherein Y is an alkyl group: wherein L¹ is a direct bond or a divalent group selected from the group consisting of —(CR¹R²)—, —C(═O)—(CR¹R²)_(p)—, —(CR¹R²)_(m)—O—, —(CR¹R²)_(m)—C(═O)—O—, —(CR¹R²)_(m)—NH—, —(CR¹R²)_(m)—C(═O)—NH—, —((CR¹R²)_(m)—C(═O)—, and —(CR¹R²)_(m)—NH—C(═O)— wherein R¹ and R² are independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-alkyl, substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-cycloalkyl, substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-halogenoalkyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-halogenocycloalkyl having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C₂-C₈-alkenyl, substituted or non-substituted C₂-C₈-alkynyl, substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-alkoxy, substituted or non-substituted C₁-C₈-halogenoalkoxy having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, substituted or non-substituted C₂-C₈-alkenyloxy, substituted or non-substituted C₂-C₈-halogenoalkenyloxy having 1 to 5 halogen atoms, substituted or non-substituted C₃-C₈-alkynyloxy, substituted or non-substituted C₃-C₈-halogenoalkynyloxy having 1 to 5 halogen atoms; and m and p independently represent 0 or 1 and Het is a thiazolyl group formula (Het²);

wherein R is hydrogen; z is selected from the group consisting of cyclopropylethynyl, 5-phenylpent-1-yn-1-yl, 3-cyclopentylprop-1-yn-1-yl, 3-cyclohexylprop-1-yn-1-yl, and hex-1-yn-1-yl; X is hydrogen; and q is 1; or a salt or N-oxide thereof.
 4. A method for controlling the phytopathogenic fungi or damaging insects of plants, crops or seeds comprising applying an agronomically effective and substantially non-phytotoxic quantity of the compound of claim 1 as seed treatment, foliar application, stem application, drench or drip application or chemigation to the seed, the plant or to the fruit of the plant or to soil or to inert substrate, Pumice, Pyroclastic materials/tuff, synthetic organic substrates organic substrates or to a liquid substrate wherein the plant is growing or wherein it is desired to grow.
 5. The compound of claim 1 wherein L¹ is selected from the group consisting of —CH₂CH₂— and —CH(CH₃)—.
 6. The compound of claim 5 wherein L¹ is —CH(CH₃)—.
 7. The compound of claim 2 wherein Y is methyl.
 8. The compound of claim 6 wherein Y is methyl.
 9. A method for controlling the phytopathogenic fungi or damaging insects of plants, crops or seeds comprising applying an agronomically effective and substantially non-phytotoxic quantity of the compound of claim 8 as seed treatment, foliar application, stem application, drench or drip application or chemigation to the seed, the plant or to the fruit of the plant or to soil or to inert substrate, Pumice, Pyroclastic materials/tuff, synthetic organic substrates, organic substrates, or to a liquid substrate wherein the plant is growing or wherein it is desired to grow.
 10. A hydroximoyl-tetrazole derivative compound of formula

wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of cyclopropylethynyl and hex-1-yn-1-yl; or a salt or N-oxide thereof.
 11. A method for controlling the phytopathogenic fungi or damaging insects of plants, crops or seeds comprising applying an agronomically effective and substantially non-phytotoxic quantity of the compound of claim 10 as seed treatment, foliar application, stem application, drench or drip application or chemigation to the seed, the plant or to the fruit of the plant or to soil or to inert substrate, Pumice, Pyroclastic materials/tuff, synthetic organic substrates, organic substrates, or to a liquid substrate wherein the plant is growing or wherein it is desired to grow. 